Water-elevating apparatus.



R. H.RIGHARDSON. WATER ELBVATING APPARATUS.'

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 6, 1909.

Patented July 19,` 1910.

U 0m v M .o b M w 1 LM www @u .M

may@

ROY H. RICHARDSON, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURIl WATER-ELEVATING APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Bc it known that I, Roy H. RICHARDSON,

citizeirof the United States, residing at' Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and StateJof Missouri, have invented certain new and iiseful Improvements in Water-Elevating fipparatus, of which the followingis a p specification.

My invention relates to improvements in Water elevators and has particular reference to devices adapted to elevate and deliver water from depressed points by air compression.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an apparatus of this character by means of which a containing vessel is placed under an initially-provided pressure produced by the compression of air within the container, and controlling the outflow in such manner as to permit of a replenishment of the water within the container after the latter hasl been expelled by the action of the air pressure therein.

A further object is to provide a water container having a valved inlet at its bottom and also having a Valve cage' removably seated above the inlet andhaving afixed connection with .a removable cap carried at the upper end of the container.,` whereby the valve and its cage may be bodily withdrawn from the container for the pur Ose of repairs, the valve and cage being ormed relative to each other in such manner that `the valve will be seatable only when the cage is in proper position within the container.

Further objects of the invention are to provide an apparatus of this character which may be employed with containers of different shapes to enable the apparatus to be used in connection with water supplies of different forms, to construct an a parat-us 'in which the entrance of the water into the container during the'replenishing operation will not prod nce excessiveeurrents of Water, and to provide a construction which 1s simple and efficient in operation, durable in construction,

the appended claims.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led May 6, 1909.

Patented July 19, 1910.

Serial No. 494,448.

In the accompanying drawings the figure is a view partly in section, showing the parts of my improved apparatus, the container being shown in section and as positioned within a-well.

The apparatus which forms the subject mattei' of my invention comprises substantially three elements, an' air pump A, a water container B, and a pressure regulator C. i

The air pump A is of any desiredtype, that shown in the drawings being what is known as a double acting pump operated by hand, the pump having a suitable pressiiie gage a and provided with the usual inlet ports for the air; the entire structure of the pump, 'being of a general type, is not illustrated in detail.

The water container B maybe of any desired configuration in cross section. The container may lhave its axis extending vertically or horizontally, dependent entirely on Whether the container is to be located Within awell or Within a shallow stream, the coiitain'ershown in the drawing having a vertical axis and being supported in any suitable manner, as by pins'b extending into the walls of the well and through openings formed in ears L carried by the container; if desired, the coiitainei may be suspended from the top of the well by means of chains or other suitable supporting connections carried by the ears b and supported at the top of the well. Where the container is adapted to be placed Within a stream, it may have its axis approximately horizontal, suitable supporting means, such as feet or other forni of standard, being secured on the bottom of the container and formed of sufficient length to maintain the container out of contact with the bed of the stream, this position being desired to permit of the presence of the Water inlet structure presently described. l

' The container B is preferably formed to provide a substantially air-tight structure,

having a 'suitable top and bottom, these parts being shown as curved or dish-shaped, the curvature in the bottom being provided to partially inclose the external portion of the water inlet, while the curvature of the top ioo provides for an increased amount of air tions 57 and Z1 ceive the upper end of a water intake b3, the connection being preferably by lneans of screw-threads, the upper end of the intakeA forming the valve-seat, said intake being, in vertical sect-ion, in the form of a three-Way structure, providing opposing water inlets bt, said inlets combinedly being of an area greater than then-area of a cross-section of the portion thereof which is secured to the bottom, this construction providing against the formation of water currents when the valve is openedas hereinafter indicated. If desired the Water inlets b" may be protected against the entrance of extraneous matter by the use of suitable means, such wire gauze, etc. The boss D? into which the intake ZE is secured, preferably extends into the container, thereby providing an annular up- -wardly projecting portion around which the valve cage b is removably seated, the boss serving to prevent lateral movement of the cage when the parts are in position. The cagev b consists of a frame having a top b7 to which is secured a rod bs, presently referred to, said cage having at its lower end an annular ring b9 which loosely fits around the boss b5 referred to. Connecting the por,-` are a plurality of connecting strips 1 spaced apart and forming an open work to permit of a free passage of the Water therethrough. Within the cage b a spider L is provided, said spider having an opening through which a valve' stem Z212 extends, said stem being adapted to receive the valve L13, said valve being seatable on the valve seat formed at the upper end of the intake. The stem b is of a length to project above the spider when the valve is seated and has its upper end provided with an enlarged head blt which is' adapted to con-y tact with the undersurface of the portion bl of the cage to limit the vertical movement of the valve. Said stem also projects below lthe valve, normally resting within theintake as shown.

The top of the container is provided withA an opening which registers with the opening at the bottom of the container, said opening at the top being of a size suilicient to permit of the passage therethrough of the valve cage b, said'top having an upturned boss b formed by a nipple screwed into said opening, said boss having external screw-threads adapted to receive a screw- Y threaded cap '61 to which the upper end of the rod bs .rotation of the cap b1 will cause a similar movement of the rod b", By this construeis secured in such manner that a tion of container, itA will be readily seen that the entire valve structure is bodily removable from the container through the opening atv the top, the cap bw heilig removed and forming a portion by means of which the entire structure including the valve and its cage may be readily removed from the container. When the valve and its cage are to be'inserted Within the container it will be readily understood that inasmuch as the container is closedfwith the exception of the opening at the top, that the centering of the valve cage may prove tedious by reason of the fact that visual access thereto cannot be had, since the cap is necessarily so close to its boss that no opportunity is given for a seating of the cage. rlo aid in proper seating of the cage thefextended portion of .the valve stem Z112 is provided, said extended portion being of a length suilicient to cause the head b1* to Contact with the .top I)7 and prevent seating of the capl b1 should the 'lower end of the stem blz pass intocontact with a portionv of the bottom outside of the boss b5, unless the rod bs extends at such an angle as to prevent a proper entering of the threads of the cap, this latterin itself indicating that the valve is not in proper posiy l tion. If the stem passes within the intake, a swerving of the cage through manipulation of the cap will permit of readily finding the cage seat and positioning it thereon, such positioning permitting the cap to be yscrewed -into proper position. The top of vthe container is also provided with an opening adapted to receive the connections leading from the air pump A and to the pressure regulator-C. The particular forni of securing these connections lin position is not material, it being necessary only that an airtight joint connection be provided.

The pressure regulator C may he of any desired type; it being understood that the regulatoris provided with suitable mechanism operating in the naturel of a valve to control the passage 40f Water through the connection c having its lower end extending into the container at a point spaced above the bottom of the container. The end 4 of the regulator is connected to one or more water outlets, indicated in the drawings b v the spigot D.l

It will be seen that when the container is properly positioned Within the well, andv the connections c and the connection leading from the air pump to the container and designated as a', are in position, the pressure of the water outside of the container will be sufficient] greater than the pressure exerted on tide valve b1 to cause the latter to be raised and thereby. permit entrance of the water into the container. For the purpose o f permitting 'a maximum lamount of water to be introduced the connection a is provided with a valve a2 having an opening to the atmosphere, and which is herein designated as an air-escape or refilling valve, said valve a2 being opened and pernntting of .the escape of air to reduce the lpressure within the container which would be caused by .the entrance of the Water therein. The entrance of water 1s mined height whereupon the valve a2 is closed and the airpump operated. Inasmuch as the connection a extends but a relatively short distance below the plane of the top of the container, it will be'readily understood that an air space is formed at the top of the container, and the forcing of air within said space produces a pressure tamer havmg a water within the container greater than thatexerted by the water outside of the container with the result that the valve b is seated; and as the exit D is closed, no possibility is had of a discharge from the container such as would affect the providing of a compressionof air within the container of a predetermined numberl of atmospheres. In practice I have found that the apparatus herein disclosed will enable the user to provide a pressure of one hundred pounds with ease and readiness. As this pressure can be imposed at any time by manipulation of the air pump and the structure of the container is such as to provide for a considerable pressure, it will be readily understood that the device is especially applicable for use in suburban locations. Y A

When the container has received its pressure, the opening of a spigot will immediately reduce the pressure within the pressure regulator to an extent Where the pressure from the container is greater than that within the regulator, thereby causing the regulator valve to be raised and permitting water to flow from the container to and through the point of exit, this being continued as long as the spigot is open or until the pressure within the container is insuflicient to elevate the water, 'or untill the pressure within the container is less than the regulating pressure of the regulator, the occurrence of this condition causing the regulator valve to be seated and remain seated irrespective of the opening of the spigot. When this condition arises, it is necessary only for the operator to proceed to the air pump, open the refilling valve a2 whereupon water will pass into thecontainer in the manner heretofore set forth.

To permit of a release of pressure in the pump, I provide a pet cock a3 which, when the valve a2 is closed, may be opened to relieve pressure in the pump.

es designates a pressure gauge for determining the pressure of water in the regulator and at the faucet.

Where the container hasl its axis extending substantially horizontally, it will be readily understood that the valve mechanism will be located at the bottom of the containerand therefore the valve stem will have lts direction ofl length atapproximate right angles to the 'axis of the container instead of in alinement with such axis as in the form 1 n which the container is provided with a vertical axis as shown in the drawings. The operation, will, of course, be the same in either case.

The advantages of the construction herein described are thought to be clear and to have been heretofore described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

l. In a water-elevating apparatus, a coninlet extending through and located above the plane of the container bottom, and also having a water outlet, means for providing an air pressure within Said container, and a valve mechanism loosely Vmounted with respect to said water inlet, said mechanism including va valve-carrier and a positioning device therefor extending through the container and removably secured to the top thereof, said device and valve being relatively positioned to provide the valve-seat wholly v.upon said .water-inlet, said device being formed to embrace the inlet end in normal position, the securing means for the positioning device forming a closure for the container.

2. In Water elevator apparatus, la container having a water inlet at its bottom and also having a water outlet, a removable valve mechanism for said water inlet, said mechanism comprising a valve cagey loosely seated with respect to said water inlet, a valve carried by and removablewith said cage for controlling said water inlet, and a cage-positioning device embodying a stem having one end secured to the cage and having its free end provided with a screwthreaded closure adapted to it a screwthreaded opening on the upper side of the container, said stem being of a length to prevent engagement of the closure and its seat when the cage is improperly positioned with respect to the inlet.-

In water elevator apparatus, a container having a water inlet at its bottom and also having la water outlet, a removable valve mechanism for said water inlet, said mechanism comprising a valve cage loosely seated with respect to said water inlet, a valve carried by and removable with said cage for controlling said water inlet, and a cage-positioning device embodying a -steni having one end secured tothe cage and having its free end provided with a screwthreaded closure adapted to fit a screwthreaded opening in the upper side of the container, said stem being of a length to prevent en agement of the closure and its seat when t e cage is improperly positioned with respect to the inlet, said valve having a valve stem projecting below the seating face of thelvalve to form a barrier against engagement of the closure and its screwthreaded opening when said cage is mispositioned.

4 In water-elevating apparatus, a container having a Water inlet at its lower end and an inwardly extending boss to which said. inlet is secured, said container also having a screw-threaded opening opposite to said inlet7 a Water outlet, a Valve cage loosely fitting over said inlet boss, a valve mounted to move axially of said cage, said valve having its length of movement limited inone direction by the cage, a stem carried by the cage and having its free end provided with a screw-threaded closure, adapted to coperate with said screw-threaded opening of the container, said stem being of a length to prevent engagement of the closure whenthe cage is out of its operative position, and 15 a water intake projecting below the bottom of the container and opening into the Water In testimony Whereofl affix my signature 1n presence of two wltnesses,

ROY H. RICHARDSON.

M. E. TUSTIN, JAMES H. CHANDLER.

Witnesses 

